For A Good Ophthalmologist San Antonio Is The Way To Go

By Mattie Knight


The branch of the field of medicine that deals with the physiology, anatomy, and diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eye is referred to as ophthalmology. Practitioners who specialize in this field are called ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists can perform surgical operations on eyes, which makes them specialists in both medicine and surgery. To find the best and most experienced ophthalmologist San Antonio is the place one should visit.

The term ophthalmology originates from the Greek language. When the two Greek words that make up the term are translated into English, they literally mean the science of the eye. The discipline is not confined to human eye alone, but applies to animal eyes in a similar fashion. The reason for this lack of difference is that the differences between human and animal eyes are anatomical, but disease processes remain the same.

Ophthalmologists are specialists of medicine with concentration on eyes. They are awarded two kinds of degrees, either an osteopathic degree of a medical degree. Their specialty entails the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of all illnesses affecting visual systems and eyes in general. An undergraduate degree is a prerequisite for joining a medical school to study ophthalmology.

College education is followed by another four years in medical school and a year of internship in pediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, or general medicine. Hospital-based residency lasts three to four years. Ophthalmologists are not similar to optometrists and opticians because they are more specialized and handle more responsibilities. The kind of training they undergo is also very different from that of optometrists and opticians.

The work of ophthalmologists involves dealing with people of all ages ranging from infants to the elderly people. Responsibilities include diagnosing and treating all kinds of diseases and conditions that affect the eye. They perform all kinds of surgery on the eye without restrictions. They also correct vision problems by prescribing and fitting eye glasses and lenses for their patients.

Legal documents that pertain to certifying that one is totally or partially blind are also handled by ophthalmologists. Their job requires them to collaborate with other practitioners within and outside the medicine profession. When dealing with clients, they have to communicate to family members about the situation. Eye surgeries usually happen during the day, which implies that these professionals never do night shifts.

Ophthalmologists also take part in research to find cures and causes of various eye conditions and disorders. There are specialists in this field who are trained in ophthalmology as well as general medicine. They are small in number and mostly they handle general patients. Generally, ophthalmologists work in outpatient clinics, operating theatres, laser eye surgery clinics, hospital eye casualty departments, and outpatient clinics among others.

Like other branches of medicine, several sub-specialties exist under ophthalmology too. Sub-specialties exist based on the kind of disease they deal with or the kind of disease that affects a certain part of the eye. Major sub-specialties include ocular oncology, immunology, medical retina, oculplastics, neuro-ophthalmology, glaucoma, cataracts, eveitis, and anterior segment surgery.




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